Upper Darby officials OK Wawa with stipulations

UPPER DARBY — Zoning officials approved Wawa’s application to construct a convenience store and gas station on West Chester Pike with 14 specifications at the hearing on Thursday.

The company was granted numerous variances for the proposed 4,670 square foot store on 1.24 acres of land with 12 gasoline/diesel pumps, a canopy, underground storage facilities, air dispensing machine and appropriate signage.

The property is bounded by 8234-8236, 8238-8240 and 8244-8246 Chester Pike, 5 Windsor Ave., 6 and 16 Park Ave. in a C-1 Traditional Neighborhood Commercial District and R-3 Residential District and involves demolition of business offices fronting on the pike and apartment buildings on the side streets.

It is across the street from Highland Park Elementary and St. Laurence Catholic schools, on West Chester Pike, and abuts the Highland Park Fire Company property on Park Avenue.

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Eleven tenants living in the seven apartment buildings or houses being purchased and demolished as part of the project voiced their concerns at the hearing last month about having to move and find another place to live.

Two other residents opposed the application citing concern about the safety of school children, pedestrians and traffic congestion.

“This case was well vetted at the zoning hearing in May,” zoning board chairman Robert White said. “It was also discussed with the community at two well-attended public meetings hosted by the mayor (Thomas Micozzie). It is encouraging to see developers work with the community and address concerns presented by the residents and elected officials.

“Mayor Micozzie reviewed the concerns expressed at the community meetings on the record at the May zoning hearing. The mayor also reviewed several agreements reached with the applicant.”

White and the other three panel members voted to approve the application after reviewing the testimony and records.

“I believe the application does meet the requirements for a variance with the conditions that were stipulated by the applicant,” White said.

White announced the stipulations included:

» Tenants do not have to move until their current leases expire;

» The fire company will be able to use the exit of the Wawa property to enable fire apparatus to turn left on Park Avenue;

» Wawa will bear the cost of any traffic light enhancements that the township may incur related to the fire company;

» Beer, wine and liquor sales are prohibited;

» One year after completion Wawa will review the traffic flow at the location with township officials;

» Continuous noise in the form of radios, streaming music or commercial announcements is prohibited;

» Trash pickups are banned between midnight and 7 a.m.;

» Wawa will make enhancements to the median strip on West Chester Pike for the safety of the children;

» Any changes to the left turning lane on the westbound side of West Chester Pike will not block the entrance driveway of St. Laurence;

» Signs must be provided for pedestrians crossing the pike at Park Avenue directing them to the eastern corner for safety;

» No pedestrian buttons will be included to change the traffic lights on the west side of Park Avenue at the crossing of the pike;

» There will be no changes to Windsor Avenue, Park Avenue or Cedar Lane;

» Parking is prohibited on West Chester Pike in front of the Wawa and;

Wawa officials agree to meet with administrators of the two schools to review the traffic modification a year after completion.